April 3, 2007

Bhramari Pranayam

Advertisements

Pranayama (Yogic breathing exercises) is the new mantra of fitness freaks these days. Gone are those days when people would exclaim with a bewildered look “Pranayam, what’s that?” The credit for popularizing these ancient yogic breathing techniques most certainly goes to Swami Ramdev, who is a household name in India these days.

Yogic postures (asanas) combined with correct breathing exercises like Pranayam is a complete exercise package. Let’s just take a look at one of the Pranayams, ‘TheBhramari Pranayam’. The name ‘Bhramari’ is so intriguing. What does it mean? While performing this pranayam, the humming sound of a ‘bumble bee’ is produced; hence the name. (‘ Bhramara’ means bee.)

Method:

Sit in a suitable yogic posture like Padmasana(lotus pose) or Vajrasana(thunderbolt pose). Cover your ears by pressing the thumbs of both your hands. Place your index fingers on the forehead and let the remaining 3 fingers close your eyes. Inhale through both the nostrils, taking - a real slow deep breath. Exhale through both nostrils and use the throat to make a soft sound, like the buzzing of a bee. Do this 5-10 times. Do not strain yourself, though. 2 minutes of Anuloma-viloma pranayam before performing bhramari will help you achieve a better concentration. Watch the performance of this pranayama by Swami Ramdev in the video.

Benefits:

Besides having a profound effect on ears, nose, eyes and mouth, it enlivens your looks; improves the glamour of the face. Its benefits do not end here - it improves one’s concentration levels, relieves migraine pains, reduces stress and mental agitation, hypertension, and successfully combats and helps prevent many a disease.

Bhramari in Pregnancy
Practice of Bhramari is beneficial for pregnant women. Quoting from this article in Yoga magazine by Dr Vibha Singh,

Brahmari pranayama vibrates the whole brain. Vibration of the cerebral cortex sends impulses to the hypothalamus which has the capacity to control the pituitary gland- the master of all glands. In this way, brahmari done regularly for only a few minutes daily throughout pregnancy keeps the endocrinal system regulated to maintain the pregnancy successfully. The hypothalamus also sends impulses to the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Thus, brahmari done during pregnancy and the first stage of labour tunes the whole neuro-endocrinal system to function in a harmonious and synchronised way, and may facilitate easy and trouble-free childbirth.

In conclusion, Brahmari pranayama done regularly for five minutes daily has a definite role in the successful maintenance of pregnancy and in preventing the complications of pregnancy, especially abortion, pre-term delivery, antepartum haemorrhage, hypertension, eclampsia, anxiety and insomnia.It facilitates trouble-free childbirth, reduces the incidence of prolonged labour and ensures a healthier mother at the end of the pregnancy.It is very useful in producing a physically and mentally healthy baby by increasing the birth weight and reducing the incidence of foetal distress and birth asphyxia.

Role of Bhramari in Surgery
Studies conducted showed that Bhramari practice helped alleviate anxiety in patients who were to undergo surgery. Excerpts:

Bhramari pranayama, practised correctly and with dedication, resulted
in sudden changes in the psychology of the patient. The patient in each
case was in a relaxed mood compared to the patients of the control group,
who were tense and anxious. The patients in the bhramari pranayama group
were more self-confident and positive towards the results of the operation
than those in the control group. All the patients of the first group were
in a relaxed mood, having full confidence in the operation as compared
to the immense anxiety and fear shown by those in the control group, who
had received preoperative anxiolytic drugs. In the study group the preoperative
pulse rate, blood pressure and rate of respiration were at almost normal
levels after the practice of bhramari pranayama.

In conclusion, Bhramari Pranayam increases the acceptability of surgical procedures and accelerates
the postoperative recovery. It considerably reduces the need for pre-anaesthetic medication,
anaesthetic agent and postoperative medication. This reduces the cost
and danger of overmedication so that all major surgery can be performed
safely, even in the periphery. Though the study has been done in obstetrics and gynaecological cases,
it will be equally effective in all other areas of surgery.

Anulom-vilom and Kapalabhati pranayams are immensely popular - research and studies have ascertained their tremendous health benefits. But this does not mean that you have to finish off your pranayam routine with just these two. Incorporate ‘Brahmari’ in your daily exercise routine and see for yourself its effects on not just your health but also on your beauty.

With the easy instruction, I was able to test this out. Thanks. It does feel great. I'm finding that Yoga is more and more something I really want to incorporate into my life. I love being able to come to sites like yours. Thank you for all the great information. Also, thank you for participating in Fitness for Moms Carnival.

You may feel little cold or tingling sensation in the throat due to sound but this is normal. Under No circumstances the proportion of the breathing should be forced.If you feel dizzy then please stop the practice and continue normal breathing.

Bhramri pranaayam is very good for the brain, also since its about chanting Aum it will also be very effective especially for controlling lower/ unwanted urges. It is also a very simple one. Yes, anulom vilom is said to be good too for controlling and balancing emotions , urges etcWith practicing anu-lom-vilom pranayan & bhramari pranayam we can improve our meditation power which ultimately improves our concentration,memory & purifies our body & mind.Mental attitude becomes positive resulting in lesser sexual urge graduallyLeft nostril represents MOON hence breathing with it cools body & right nostril represents SUN hence breathing with it gives hit to the body but sexual urge is not affected with that much.Sexual urge is the outcome of our thoughts in mind

It is supposed to create a soothing effect on the nervous system and culturing the voice.It is known to work in relieving stress, reducing anger, anxiety, lack of desire to sleep and blood pressure and eliminating throat ailments. It induces a meditative state by harmonizing the mind and directing the awareness inwards.

During Bhramari Practice, chant "N-kara" and not "M-kara". Touch the tongue to upper (hard) palate.Initially the sound vibration is felt more at the throat region only. With constant practice try to perceive the strong vibrations in the entire head region along with its resonating effect throughout the body.

"The Yogic breathing practice "Brahmari Breath" releases endorphins into our system. It's easy and fun to do and children love it if you happen to have one who doesn't sleep well. Sit comfortably and lengthen your spine. It may help to sit on a pillow or folded blanket. Place your fingers on the little protrusion at the edge of your ear that will close off your ear when you press on it.

Check to make sure your shoulders are relaxed, elbows down and your tongue is resting gently on the roof of your mouth -- upper and lower teeth can be slightly apart. Now close the flap of your ear, inhale deeply and exhale making a hum noise. Keep your ears closed so that you hear the hum inside your head -- this vibrates the pituitary gland to release the endorphins. Repeat for at least 3 breaths and try to make the exhale as long as possible each time. Ahhhh."

Bhramara means a bumble bee. The Pranayama gets its name from the resounding sound produced like the bumble bee, during exhalation.After breathing in fully, place both of your thumbs of the hands inside the ears so as to close the latter , place index fingers on both sides of the forehead and the three fingers each on both sides of the nose. Slightly pressing the sides of the nose with the fingers, exhale from both the nostrils, as if chanting OM from the nose, making a humming sound like a bee.This Pranayama activates the third eye chakra so important for getting the power of telepathy, clairvoyance and clair audience .

Bhramari is very import to bring down stress. which casue High BP. Diet also play important part. If you green vegetables and have one glass of mixed fruit juice(home made) it can make big difference in few days in your overall health including High blood Pressure.

Bhramari pranayamathe bee breathsoothes the nerves and calms the mindInhale through both nostrils, taking a slow deep breath in. Exhale through both nostrils using the throat to make a soft "eeee" sound, like the buzzing of a bee. Do 5-10 rounds, making the buzzing bee noise louder as you progress, but do not strain.

Variation: Block off the right nostril with the thumb using vishnu mudra (as in nadi sodhna pranayama) and inhale through the left nostril using Ujjayi pranayama. Exhale through the left nostril using the throat to make a soft "eeee" sound, like the buzzing of a bee. Block off the left nostril and repeat on other side, practicing for 5-10 rounds.

It helps you to build a deep connection with the life force that flows through your body. helps to reduce stress and anxiety both from the body and the mind, helping to improve the overall well-being. The inhalation and the exhalation techniques help to relax and soothe the vocal chords. It also clears the throat and helps to invigorate the thyroid gland. When the thyroid gland is thus stimulated, the metabolism of the body improves. The Brahmari technique also improves the balance in the hormonal secretions and blood sugar.

In Bhramari, the lips are closed and vibrations of the soft palate are caused entirely by nasal airflow unlike the usual mouth snoring. In order to be able to practise Bhramari, you may start by practising mouth snoring in order to develop some voluntary control over the palate vibration process. Approach control develops gradually.

Comments posted on this blog are moderated and approved only if they are relevant, on-topic and not abusive. Avoid using links to your site/blog in the body of your comment unless it is highly relevant to the post.